I began forcing hyacinths in vases several years ago. I became enamored of the process, and it's now a ritual to take out the vases, wash all of them in soapy water and get them ready for their hyacinth bulbs. They spend most of the year in a broom closet in our kitchen on shelves Bill built for me. This closet backs up to the dog run and stays cool all year, essential for forcing. Clean hyacinth vases look like jewels on the kitchen countertop. In July, I ordered the forcing and exhibition hyacinth collection from Van Engelen Wholesale Bulbs. This is the same collection I bought last year. When the bulbs arrived mid-August, I put them in the refrigerator in a paper sack to chill them. About four weeks ago, I took out four and planted them in a couple of forcing bowls, but I saved the rest for my hyacinth vases. Bulbs need...

Have you ever wanted a greenhouse? Most obsessive gardeners do, and who could blame them? Growing plants in a greenhouse is one of those exquisite pleasures Victorian gardeners understood. A greenhouse or sunroom full of plants gets a gardener through the cold, dark days of winter. The greenhouse and cold frames on a cool morning. Notice the condensation on the windows. Everything inside is nice and warm. This is the third winter for our greenhouse, and we've figured out a few things after the first two years of growing. Here are my greenhouse musings from last year when it was eternal summer all winter long. After reading these, you may be green with envy, but may I give you some advice before you order that freedom greenhouse kit like I did? Inside the greenhouse, the scent is heavenly because the string of pearls plant blooms most of winter. Soon, I'll start sweet pea seeds, and have lily...

Instead of my normal Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day post, let me tell you a story. It's a story that still gives me chills, but in the best kind of way. I don't think I've told you all this story before, but if I have, please forgive me. The recent terrorism in Paris reminded me. This is a story of the Oklahoma prairie, college, France, Islam, Africa and humanity, but first, a bit of background. I was born loving everything français. I'm fascinated by their beautiful language, the country, the sense of style, simply everything. I loved French heroes like Lafayette and read many biographies of Napoleon and Josephine. I don't love Napoleon, but I'm a huge fan of Josephine's resilience in the face of terror. Don't know what I mean? Read The Many Lives & Secret Sorrows of Josephine B., by Sandra Gulland. In high school, I took French for...

The United States went off daylight saving time and back to standard time last weekend. That means the dark closes in more quickly in the evenings, and if you live in Oklahoma, you often wake up in darkness too. Not the best time for gardeners who crave the sun like an essential vitamin. So what's a sun-starved hort head to do? My back garden in early April. It's so fresh. Well, first get outside. We've had glorious weather. Run, walk or garden. Gardens take planning. Start on next year's now, but don't panic. I have some ideas from a garden club talk I gave yesterday to get you started. The Scheepers hybrid tulip mix is designed so tulips bloom in unison. Mine lasted weeks. 1. Buy bulbs if you haven't already. By the time foliage emerges in spring, you'll cheer each new leaf. Trust me. I know this. If you want the best and...